Controller



June 21, 1949. H. c. KRAPF 2,473,889

CONTROLLER Filed Nov.. 10, 1944 :5 Shets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES: I I INVENTOR 54 1 Herman C Arap/ June 21, 1949. H. C. KRAPF 2,473,889

CONTROLLER Filed Nov. 10, 1944 v .3 Sheets-Sheet:

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2e F ((0 F \s /a I I WITNESSES: I INVENTOR Herman O. A rap f Patented June 21, 1949 CONTROLLER Herman C. Krapf, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November10, 1944, Serial No. 562,884

'1 Claims. (01. 200-) My invention relates, generally, to controllers and', more'particularly, to controllers of a type suitable for controlling the operation of electric locomotives. I v v Locomotives for operation underground usually have to be as low in height as possible. Since the mining operations are moving farther away from the mine shaft or entry, heavier locomotives operating at hi'gherspeeds are required in 'order to maintain production schedules. Because of these"conditionsjmine operators look favorably upon equipment which helps to reduce accidents to both material and personnel.

he deadmans' handle, which has been utilized for years on rapid transit systems and subways, has been proposed to increase safety conditions. However, this device as previously constructed is not suitable for use on controllers for minin 1ocomotives because of the increased height of the controllers.

An object of my invention, generally stated, is to 'provide'a controller which is low in height, simple in construction and efiicient in operation. A more specific object of my invention is to provide'a simplified and improved mechanical interlock between the deadmans handle, the main drum,'the reverse drum" and the air brake application valve of a controller.

' Other objects'of my invention will be explained fully hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with one embodiment of my invention the reverse drum of a controller is so interlocked with the deadmans devic that the reverse drum cannot be operated unless'the deadmans device is in the off position and the main drum can be locked with the handle depressed in the off position by placing the reverse drum in the neutral position. Also the handle of the main drum is locked in the off position until the handle is depressed and the handle is locked in the released position until the main drum is returned to the on position.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of my invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyin drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view, partially in section and partially in elevation, of a. portion of a controller embodying'my invention, the section being taken along the line I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a view, in section, taken along the line II- II of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are views, in section, taken along the lines III III and IVIV, respectively, or Fig. 2, and v Fig. 5 is a view, partially in section and partially in elevation, of a set of auxiliary contact members disposed in the controller and actuated by the deadmans device.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig; Lthe'structure shown therein comprises a portion of a controller l0 having a main drum H disposed on a shaft Ila and a reverse drum l2 disposed on a shaft l2a rotatably disposed there in. The main drum shaft Ila may be rotated by means of a handle l3 which is pivotally secured to an extension I4 of the shaft Ila. Th reverse drum shaft lZa may be rotated by a handle l5 which is securedt'o the upper end of the shaft l2a.

As explained hereinbeiore, a deadmans device It is provided in order to prevent accidents to the equipment and operating personnel. In order to insure foolproof operation of the controller the reverse drum [2 must be so interlocked with the deadmans device that the reverse drum cannot be'o'perated unless the deadmans device is in the off position. I

v The deadmans device is operated by vertical motion of the handle 13. When the handle I3 is depressed to the horizontal position, a brake application valve I! (Fig. '3) is closed, thereby releasing the air brakes on the locomotive. Con trol contact members l8 (Fig. 5) are also closed when the handle I3 is in the horizontal position in order that the power switches in the main motor circuit (not shown) can be operated.

As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the handle l3 can be depressed to the horizontal p0- sition only when the main controller drum II is in the ofi position. When the controller is in the o position and the handle depressed, the interlock between the main and the reverse drums is released and the reverse drum can be operated. If the reverse drum is actuated to the neutral position the handle I3 is locked in the depressed position and the main drum H is locked in the oil position. The handle [5 may be removed from the re'versedrum shaft 12 to prevent the reverse drum from being operated. This action permits the controller to be utilized on tandem connected locomotives and insures that the two or' r'no're locomotives can be operated 'only from the controller on the primary unit.

When the operator removes his hand from the deadm'ans handle I3, the grip end of the handle moves vertically to the position shownin the dot anddashlines of Fig. 1. In'this position the elec-' trical contacts l8 are opened by a roller l9 being engaged by a portion (Fig. 1) of the deadmans device which moves upwardl when the handle I3 is released, thereby deenergizing the switches in the main motor circuit and cutting off power from the motor. The deadmans brake application valve I1 is opened, thereby causing the air brakes to be applied. These conditions remain fixed until the main drum H is returned to the off position where the handle l3 can be depressed to release the brakes and establish the control circuit for closing the switches in the main motor circuit.

In order that the functioning of the foregoing apparatus may be more clearly understood, the operation of the deadmans device and the interlocking between the deadmans handle, the main drum, the reverse drum, and the air brake application valve will be described in more detail. As shown by the full lines in the drawings, the handle I3 is depressed, the main drum II is in the off position and the reverse drum I2 is in the neutral position. A star wheel 2| on the reverse drum shaft engages a roller 22 of an interlocking pawl 23, thereby holding an extension-24 of the pawl 23 in a slot 25 which is provided in a collar 26 of the deadmans device. An extension 21 of the deadmans device is released from the valve stem of the brake application valve ll, thereby permitting this valve to be closed by a spring 28, as shown in Fi 3.

The extension 24 of the pawl 23 engages the collar 26 which is secured to the extension I4 of the main drum shaft Ila and prevents rotation of the handle l3. When the reverse drum I2 is actuated to one of the operating positions on either side of the neutral position, the roller 22 drops int o a deeper slot in the star wheel 2|. The extension 24 is removed from the slot 25 by a spring 29, thereby permitting the handle l3 and the main drum H to be rotated. As the drum is turned, a pawl 3| moves out of a slot 32 in a flange 33 of a sleeve 34 and slides along the outside of the flange 33. The sleeve 34 is slidably disposed on the shaft H but rotates with the shaft.

When the handle I3 is released a spring 35 forces all of the mechanism disposed below the collar 26, upwardly, and a spring 35 forces the pawl 3| underneath the flange 33 and prevents the handle |3 from being depressed again until the drum is returned to the off position. When the drum is returned to the off position, a roller 31 which is mounted on a shaft 38 is biased down wardly by a spring 39 into the slot 32 in the flange 33, thereby locking the main drum I! in the off position until the handle I3 is depressed. When the handle I 3 is depressed, a push rod 4|, which is disposed in the shaft |4, engages a key 42, which extends through the shaft l4 and the sleeve 34, and forces the sleeve 34 downwardly against the spring 35, thereby releasing the flange 33 from the roller 31, as shown in Fig. 4.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the interlocking mechanism provides for locking the main drum H in the off position with the deadmans device H5 in the depressed position by actuating the reversing drum l2 to the neutral position in which position the pawl 23 prevents rotation of the shaft l4 and also prevents the sleeve 34 from being forced upwardly by the spring 35, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1. The main drum H is locked in the off position by the roller 31 until the handle I3 is depressed to remove the roller 31 from the slot 32 by lowering the flange 33, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4. The handle I3 is locked in the released position by the pawl 3| until the main drum is returned to the off position to permit the pawl 3| to enter the slot 32, as shown in Fig. 2. The reverse drum is locked in either operating position by the star wheel 2| and the pawl 23, except when the main drum is in the off position.

Furthermore, as illustrated in the drawings, a deadmans device having a relatively low height may be assembled completely as a separate unit and applied to the top of a master controller which may be modified as desired without changing the deadmans device. In this manner the deadmans device may be applied to existing controllers which have been previously installed in service, or it may be applied to new controllers when they are constructed.

Since two or more sets of electrical contact members may be provided in the deadmans device, it may be utilized with power operated hydraulic brakes, one set of contact members beingconnected in the motor control circuit and the other set controlling the operation of a magnetically operated valve in the hydraulic brake system. As herein described, the operation of air brakes may be controlled by means of the air brake release valve provided in the deadmans device. When power brakes are not provided on a locomotive, the deadmans device may be used simply to cut off power from the main motors when the handle is released.

Since numerous changes may be made in the above-described construction, and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a controller, in combination, a main shaft and an auxiliary shaft rotatably disposed sideby-side in the controller, a handle pivotally mounted on the main shaft and movable in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane, switching means operated by movement of the handle in a vertical plane, spring-biased interlocking means actuated by the auxiliary shaft to prevent operation of said switching means by said move ment of the handle under predetermined conditions, interlocking means rotated by the main shaft and cooperating with said spring-biased interlocking means to prevent rotation of the main shaft except when the auxiliary shaft is in a predetermined position and to prevent rotation of the auxiliary shaft except when the main shaft is in a predetermined position, and spring-biased means for preventing vertical movement of the handle except when the main shaft is in a predetermined position.

2. In a controller, in combination, a main shaft and an auxiliary shaft rotatably disposed side- "by-side in the controller, a handle pivotally mounted on the main shaft and movable in avertical plane and in a horizontal plane, switching means operated by movement of the handle in a vertical plane, spring-biased interlockingmeans actuated by the auxiliary shaft to prevent operation of said switching means by said move-- merit of the handle under predetermined conditions, interlocking means rotated b the main;

shaft and cooperating with said spring biased interlocking means to prevent rotation of the main shaft except when the auxiliary shaft is in a predetermined position and to prevent rotation of the auxiliary shaft except when the main shaft is in a predetennined position, springbiased means for preventing vertical movement of the handle except when the main shaft is in a predetermined position, and additional springbiased means for preventing rotation of the main shaft except when the handle is in a predetermined position.

3. In a controller, in combination, a main shaft and an auxiliary shaft rotatably disposed sideby-side in the controller, a handle pivotally mounted on the main shaft and movable in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane, switching means operated by movement of the handle in a vertical plane, spring-biased interlocking means actuated by the auxiliary shaft to prevent operation of said switching means by said movement of the handle under predetermined conditions, interlocking means rotated by the main shaft and cooperating with said springbiased interlocking means to prevent rotation of the main shaft except when the auxiliary shaft is in a predetermined position and to prevent rotation of the auxiliary shaft except when the main shaft is in a predetermined position, and spring-biased means for preventing Vertical movement of the handle in one direction except when the main shaft is in a predetermined position.

4. In a controller, in combination, a main shaft and an auxiliary shaft rotatably disposed side-by-side in the controller, a handle pivotally mounted on the main shaft and movable in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane, a sleeve slidably disposed on the main shaft but rotatable therewith, spring-biased means cooperating with said sleeve to prevent vertical movement of the handle in one direction except when the main shaft is in a predetermined position, and springbiased interlocking means actuated by the auxiliary shaft to prevent said sleeve from slidin on the main shaft with vertical movement of the handle when the auxiliary shaft is in a predetermined position.

5. In a controller, in combination, a main shaft and an auxiliary shaft rotatably disposed side-by-side in the controller, a handle pivotally mounted on the main shaft and movable in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane, a sleeve slidably disposed on the main shaft but rotatable therewith, spring-biased means cooperating with said sleeve to prevent Vertical movement of the handle in one direction except when th main shaft is in a predetermined position, spring-biased interlocking means actuated by the auxiliary shaft to prevent said sleeve from sliding on the main shaft with vertical movement of the handle when the auxiliary shaft is in a predetermined position, and valve means actuated by sliding movement of said sleeve.

6. In a controller, in combination a main shaft and an auxiliary shaft rotatably disposed sideby-side in the controller, a handle pivotally mounted on the main shaft and movable in a vertical plane and in .a horizontal plane, a sleeve slidably disposed on the main shaft but rotatable therewith, spring-biased means cooperating with said sleeve to prevent vertical movement of the handle in one direction except when the main shaft is in a predetermined position, spring-biased interlocking means actuated by the auxiliary shaft to prevent said sleeve from sliding on the main shaft with vertical movement of the handle when the auxiliary shaft is in a predetermined position, and a spring-biased brake application valve actuated by sliding movement of said sleeve.

7. In a controller, in combination, a main shaft and an auxiliary shaft rotatably disposed sideby-side in the controller, a handle pivotally mounted on the main shaft and movable in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane, a sleeve slidably disposed on the main shaft but rotatable therewith, spring-biased means cooperating with said sleeve to prevent vertical movement of the handle in one direction except when the main shaft is in a predetermined position, springbiased interlocking means actuated by the auxiliar shaft to prevent said sleeve from sliding on the main shaft with vertical movement of the handle when the auxiliary shaft is in a predetermined position, and electrical contact members actuated by sliding movement of said sleeve.

HERMAN C. KRAPF.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 910,604 Stull Jan. 26, 1909 1,073,397 Cochran Sept. 16, 1913 1,686,033 Riley Oct. 2, 1928 2,198,469 Woodward Apr. 23, 1940 2,366,441 Clifton Jan. 2, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 28,188 Great Britain Dec. 24, 1908 

